Work

Inverse-Designed Broadband and Compact $TE_{N}$ to $TE_{0}$ Mode Converters via Optimized Bezier Curves

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We present a scalable design strategy for compact, broadband mode converters capable of transforming arbitrary high-order transverse electric ($TE\_{N}$) modes into the fundamental$TE\_{0}$mode on a silicon-on-insulator platform. The architecture employs a “split-phase-combine” mechanism: the higher-order mode is spatially separated into fundamental mode components, phase-synchronized, and subsequently recombined. The device comprises a$1\times (N+1)$input splitter, an adiabatic phase shifter, and a multimode interference (MMI) combiner. By parametrizing the device geometry with optimized cubic Bezier curves, we achieve a compact footprint with large operating bandwidth, while effectively maintain low losses. We validate the scalability of this approach by designing converters for$TE\_{1}$,$TE\_{2}$, and$TE\_{3}$modes. The optimized devices exhibit mode conversion efficiencies of 98.3%, 95.8%, and 86.8%, respectively, across a broad 100nm bandwidth (1500–1600nm). Tolerance analysis further confirms the robustness of the designs against systematic fabrication deviations of$\pm 10$nm, suggesting their suitability for high-density mode-division multiplexing in next-generation optical interconnects.

Source: IEEE photonics journal

DOI: 10.1109/jphot.2026.3681553

Authors: Ziyin Wei, J. Stewart Aitchison

Institution: University of Toronto

Language: English

Topic: Photonic and Optical Devices

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,075